Prince Laurent will not defend himself in the Chamber of Representatives on Wednesday 21 March. This was reported by VTM Nieuws Monday evening and Laurent’s lawyer, Laurent Arnauts, confirmed the news to the Belga news agency. “In my opinion, the question about his presence is not essential.”
Moreover, Arnauts said, "We have not yet received the complete file from the government. It therefore seems difficult to prepare the defence and the hearing in two days."
The prince risks losing 15 percent of his government allowance because he was in army uniform, without the government's permission, to celebrate the ninetieth anniversary of the Chinese army at the Chinese embassy.
To decide on this reduction, an ad hoc committee was set up. On 8 March, it decided to allow Prince Laurent to defend himself publicly.
The Brussels Times
